Murder, Arson and Stolen Guitars

[Derek Rutz]

Dear Musicians, Music Lovers and Friends -

On June 23rd, 2009 my long-time friend and musician Keith Fessler was murdered in his Sacramento, CA home during a robbery. His house was burned, his car was stolen, and that was burned too. Several stringed instruments were stolen in the crime. His family provided me with photos and an inventory list, and I’ve been able to match the list to the photos.

The official Sacramento PD press release (link below) contains a description of the crime and photographs and details of the instruments:

http://www.sacpd.org/newsroom/releases/liveview.aspx?release_id=20090714-146

Unfortunately the published list of stolen instruments contains several errors. An updated list is provided below.

• Flatiron F-hole Mandolin, Ebony, s/n 93071686
• Carvin Thin-line AC375 Acoustic, Natural (Vintage Yellow), s/n 445241014
• Carvin CL450 Classical, Sunburst, s/n 445775975
• Gibson J-180EC Acoustic, Ebony, s/n 00263003
• Takamine Santa Fe Acoustic, Natural, s/n 93121043
• Gibson Les Paul Classic Premium Plus Electric, Honeyburst Maple Flame, s/n 31602
• Jackson JS Dinky Electric, Blue/White Diamond, s/n 6717
• Fender Telecaster Electric, Teal w/White Pick Guard, s/n unknown
• Kaman or Applause GTX 4-String Bass Electric, Black/Smoke Gray, s/n unknown
• Fender? Telecaster Electric, Medium Brown Stained Wood, s/n unknown
• Gibson (or clone) Les Paul Custom Electric, Ebony w/Gold Hardware, s/n unknown
• Unknown Dreadnought Acoustic, Natural, s/n unknown

The location of the Deering banjo and Mitchell MD-100 acoustic is known.

Should you locate any of the instruments listed above, please contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP, or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. If you'd rather not talk to the police, please contact me directly (email address below).

We need to find the sub-human scum that did this. We don’t need the instruments back, but we need to lock up these animals and prevent this from happening again. Thank you for your help.

Derek Rutz
derek.rutz@coherent.com

[MikeEdgerton]

Here's a picture of the Flatiron from the website. That looks to be a Flatiron Festival A style. I have the same model.

[Paul Kotapish]

That's horrible news, Derek. I've posted the info to the San Francisco Folk Music Club list, and will pass the word to stay alert for any sign of his instruments.

[Keith Erickson]

Oh My Gosh :disbelief:

I fail to comprehend why someone would do this to another human being :crying:

[Derek Rutz]

Update: the folks at Carvin have provided these serial numbers...

• Carvin Thin-line AC375 Acoustic, Natural (Vintage Yellow), s/n 63329
• Carvin CL450 Classical, Sunburst, s/n 67226

Thank you.

[violmando]

I will keep his family in my thoughts and I hope they catch the SCUM that did this; they should BURN, too.
Sorry, but I hate hearing stories like this. Everyone is having money problems nowdays, but Murder?
Yvonne

[Derek Rutz]

Because of a tip or tips provided by you, two low-life scumbags have been charged in the murder of my friend. These guys tried to sell you some gear, and you called it in!

http://www.sacpd.org/newsroom/releases/liveview.aspx?release_id=20090917-200

Thank you for your condolences, but most importantly for keeping an eye out for my friends stuff. While this case still has a long road ahead, at least the bad guys are behind bars. I don’t know if some or all of his gear was recovered (as that’s part of the investigation), so all I ask is that if you should locate any of his stuff, please contact me or the Sacramento Police.

Thanks, Friends!

Derek

[jim_n_virginia]

.. I hope they burn. Glad they were caught and I hope they get back all his stuff for his family.

[Zappa]

OMG, I feel so bad for Keith and what he had to endure... I'm happy these 2 are behind bars and the instruments were recovered.

[MikeEdgerton]

OMG, I feel so bad for Keith and what he had to endure at the hands...the instruments were recovered.

Take a few minutes to read the posting guidelines (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/faq.php).

[CES]

Mike,

I, too, am appalled at the details and share the sentiments of the poster just before your very appropriately guided advice re: the posting guidelines...I was ready to post (within the guidelines :) ), but then I saw that d@%^ squirrell in your avatar, and just couldn't help laughing!! I don't know why, but that thing's funny...

OP, glad they caught the guys responsible...all parties are in my prayers.

[Zappa]

Thanks Mike for the heads up....this stuff really boils my blood.

[Miked]

Very, very sad.

I will keep the family in my prayers; they must be devasted.

Looking at the mugshoots of the criminals, it's quite disturbing. Nothing but hatred in their eyes. Hopefully, there can be some sort of redemption somewhere down the road.

[Mandoviol]

Do we know of a motive? I can't understand why those two would do something that horrible...some people will do anything to steal instruments, I guess. It's just disgusting.

It's a good thing that the police caught them when they did--cases of this nature can sometimes go on for years because instruments are hard to track...

I've got his family in my prayers.

[Ivan Kelsall]

What a dreadful event. I am truly sorry to hear about the terrible death of this person. I'm also pleased that the (alleged) perpetrators of this crime have been caught,
Ivan

[Tom C]

quote; Do we know of a motive? I can't understand why those two would do something that horrible...some people will do anything to steal instruments, I guess. It's just disgusting.

The most evil drug in the world...methamphetamine

[Dan Hoover]

just came across this thread...very sad,it's a shame what some people become...hopefully justice will prevail...our thought's go out to the Fessler family and to you derek..

[hank]

My condolences to Mr. Fessler's family and friends. As sad as this is I'm proud to be part of this musical community that regularly assist in the exposure of fraud and apprehension of these these poor lost souls.

[Mike Bromley]

Savory-looking characters indeed. What an outrage. I'm amazed at how tweakers have gotten so bold and callous.

[KCrook]

This is a very sad story, and while it is good that the perpetrators have been caught and will be punished here on Earth and beyond, my thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of Keith Fessler. Let's all pick a tune for Keith ..

[Sean Greer]

I live just up the road from Sacramento and recall reading about this in the Bee right after it happened. I am pleased to hear that the music community provided tips that will hopefully see justice served. I hope that Keith's family and friends may one day find closure to these dreadful events. My thoughts and condolences go out to them.

[allenhopkins]

Sometimes I get a bit nervous, since lots of people know I own lots of instruments. Meth heads can be incredibly irrational and violent. I don't play in venues where I'm likely to encounter drug-addicted thugs (not many of them in libraries, senior centers, or farmers' markets), and I live in a wholesome "Wonder Bread" neighborhood, but you never know. You really never know.